Jones brothers spark 10-0 Gov team

Laura Clark / Nelson County Times
Published: January 10, 2008

So Chris called Mike incessantly when Mike was sick in the hospital this summer, and Mike is the first one to pick up Chris if he takes a charge.

But their brotherly love sometimes turns to brotherly bickering on the basketball court. One smooth move deserves another, better move. As the two wear themselves out trying to outdo each other, their teammates and coaches just laugh.

"I figure it will run its course," head coach Brandon Garrett said. "I know it's natural."

Garrett also channels the Jones' competitive spirit.

When scrimmaging in practice, he'll put Mike and Chris on opposite teams because he says they energize the other players. Teammate and fellow senior captain Thomas Brown said the two are intense defensive players.

"Mike is one of those guys that gives 100 percent at all times. He looks like he's going to pass out, but he still keeps going," Brown said. "(Chris) has this laid-back expression, so guys try to go on him, but it doesn't work. He's in the game."

The two players have been instrumental in leading the Govs to a 10-0 record this season. Garrett says they are disciplined models for the new varsity players. The fourth senior captain, T.J. Martin, says the brothers are unselfish. Brown says neither brother is afraid to speak up when the team is struggling, and he can count on Chris to drive in for a reverse layup and Mike to knock down the open perimeter shot.

Both guards, Mike and Chris have become "all-around good basketball players," said Garrett, from scoring points and grabbing rebounds to game-changing steals.

This dream season was a work in progress for the team and the Jones.

Chris, 17, didn't make the junior varsity team as a freshman. He had to watch Mike, 18, from the stands that season, and Mike moved up to varsity at the end of his ninth grade year. Then and there, Chris said he decided he wanted to be a starter as a senior.

Chris and Mike played pick-up ball on the concrete court behind their house. When the goal kept falling over in the wind, Chris went out and got concrete to set the pole in. The goal is a foot short of regulation, but Chris can dunk on it.

If Mike beats Chris on the basketball court, the two will play baseball (or kickball or football), and Chris will win. It's all in fun, Mike said.

Competitive as they are, Mike and Chris obey their parents and refuse to fight each other, although they admit they've had some good wrestling matches. The two are closer now than ever, and the catalyst is basketball. Through the spring and summer, the Govs attended camps and played in a spring league that brought the whole team closer.

They are in agreement on what the team needs to do to continue to win as Dogwood District games begin, mainly finish teams and play consistently at their level, not the level of their opponent. And that means pushing each other every practice, every game. Chris says Mike has the better shot. Mike says Chris can jump and get the rebounds. They can both be serious and agree to disagree, like when they contemplate the Govs' current record.

"I want to stay undefeated," Mike said.

"I don't think it's that much if we lose here or there," Chris said. "We want to be playing our best come playoffs."

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